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6 Ways to Illuminate the Skin Without Highlighter

Saturday, December 03, 2016

Now that Winter has arrived you may find that your complexion is a little duller than normal, thanks to a combination of artificial heat and of course the harsh elements. In the long term, you could book yourself in for a facial, switch up your skincare and of course exfoliate but for those looking for a quick, instant and affordable fix, there are five products you may want to incorporate into your daily routine.

The one that preps, perfects and illuminates - Gosh Primer Plus Skin Perfector in Illuminating(£14.49)
It has all but been drilled into us that the secret to a flawless and long lasting base is to begin with a layer of primer, which is of course a tried and tested step but I'm going to suggest that you demand more from your primer. Forget priming products that only prolong make-up wear and switch to one that perfects and adds a quick but flattering dash of luminosity to your skin. No product answers the call quite like Gosh Primer Plus Skin Perfector in Illuminating, this apricot tinted primer quickly eradicates any dullness from the skin, optically blurs any small imperfections, acts as the perfect canvas for any base product and as mentioned before leaves the skin glowing. I don't care If you wear it alone, team it with any of the other products mentioned in this post, or layer it under it your fail safe base just make sure you add it to your everyday routine.

To change the finish of any foundation - Bourjois Sculpt Light Highlighter (£10.99)
Technically this is a liquid highlighter and as such has been created to be gently diffused over the high points of the face, to add a light kiss of radiance; I'm however going to suggest you use it slightly differently - controversial I know. We all have a favourite foundation (don't we?) but it may not necessarily be all that brightening, which is less than ideal when you are suffering from a dull complexion; rather than splashing out on a new formula that you may not enjoy, I suggest mixing a little of Bourjois Sculpt Light Highlighter into your foundation (I use three drops to every "pump" of liquid foundation). Unlike the vast majority of my highlighting collection - powder, liquid or otherwise - Bourjois Sculpt Light Highlighter features no shimmer or glitter particles, rather the smooth liquid adds a pearlescent sheen to the skin, which is both flattering and perfectly suited as a mixing medium. I should also add that despite instantaneously boosting the skin's radiance, Bourjois Sculpt Light Highlighter does not alter the overall coverage level of any foundation it is added too.

The quickest of fixes - Collection Illuminating Touch Under Eye Brightener (£3.99)
In my experience - and it may just be that - when my skin is dull, my eyes tend to look a little more tired than usual. The good news is that this really is the quickest and easiest area of the face to brighten, not to mention the most rewarding in terms of results - I mean have you ever noticed how much brighter your entire complexion appears once you conceal dark circles? Exactly. Forget high-end under eye products and add Collection Illuminating Touch Under Eye Brightener to your wish list immediately - this nifty pen concealer-come-highlighter disguises even the darkest of circles with a few quick clicks, all the while lifting and brightening the skin. You can of course use it anywhere on the face you wish to uplift or conceal. Think of it as eight hours of sleep in liquid form and one of the high-street's best kept beauty secrets.

The eye opener - Bourjois Brow Duo Pencil £6.99
Perhaps you don't have under-eye circles but do feel that your general eye area could benefit from a little added radiance? To open, brighten and lift the brow area, I fully recommend the Bourjois Brow Duo Pencil - this nifty, 2-in-1 product contains a creamy yet refined pencil highlighter, as well as a waxy, brow pencil to tame and shape even the most troublesome of brows. In my opinion, the real star of the show is the highlighting proportion, this soft yet subdued pearl pink illuminator, glides onto the skin to awaken the complexion; applied to the inner eyes it creates the impression of, wide-awake, doll like proportions and blended under the brow it both lifts and sculpts. You can also gently dab Bourjois Brow Duo Pencil above the cupids bow to create the illusion of fuller, plumper lips.

When you want to skip highlighting and contouring - Soap and Glory Love at First Blush Highlight and Sculpt Stick £8
Recently all I have done is rave about the super powers of the Soap and Glory Love at First Blush Highlight and Sculpt Stick. Not only is this a wonderfully, universally flattering blush option (very similar to NARS Orgasm Blush) but it does the almost impossible: it creates not only a luminous, complexion boosting, flush of colour but it somewhat sculpts and highlights the cheeks in one quick swipe. In my opinion there is no easier, nor quicker way to fake a healthy glow than with this blush stick - everyone should try it at least once.

Hydrate and brighten on-the-go - Clinique Moisture Surge Moisture Spray £22 (12% off with code GLITTER)
Along with duller skin, the chilly days of Winter, more often than not de-hydrates my skin meaning that make-up is prone to caking and flaking throughout the course of wear. Sure I've tried setting sprays, powders and even the odd prayer, but when the skin craves additional moisture there is no real compromise for hydration. On a whim (read as desperation), I gently misted Clinique Moisture Surge Moisture Spray over my face, to cool and calm my aggravated complexion and was dumbfounded by the results. Yes it beautifully hydrated - through several layers of face powder no less - but what it did to my then waning foundation was nothing short of miraculous; it softened down the heavy finish of an abundance of face powder and matte foundation, to create a dewy finish and all without removing a trace of my make-up. No this is not a setting spray but if you find that after several hours of wear your make-up does need something to jolt a little life back into it - Clinique Moisture Surge Moisture Spray is the answer.

Or for those who shy away from luminous skincare products, maybe one of these suggestions is more up your alley?